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nklings
Staples High School
October 27, 2017
Volume 86, Issue 2 inklingsnews.com
INSIDE 1 7 11 17 21
News Opinions Features Arts Sports
Join the discussion.
Opioid abuse present in Westport
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a factor that is c o n c e r n i n g ,” TAKING ACTION Russ said. “I think there is a concern among On May 27, 2016, every student of Governor Dannel P. drug use.” Malloy signed into I n law legislation that he Westport, there introduced in an effort was one reported to combat the opioid opioid-induced epidemic. Malloy has death in 2016. been working to curb However, a drug opiod use since he took called Naloxone, office in 2011. There more commonly was one opioid-induced known as death in Westport in “Narcan,” 2016. which brings an overdose victim back from the brink of death, has been used 15 times in of painkillers. “There are astronomical amounts Westport, according to Westport Police Lt. David Farrell in an interview with of opioid prescriptions given out in the millennial years,” Ashcroft said. She Westport Now. According to Mark Cooper, Director believes this trend is due to accessibility of Health in the Westport/Weston area, of drugs and changing attitudes towards the largest percentage of Westport/Weston drug use. “[Opioid use is] looked at as something residents abusing opioids are males aged 35-50, however it is also an issue among way more socially acceptable in these last years,” Ashcroft said. college-aged athletes. The Teen Awareness Group (TAG) “The concern is that [athletes] are prescribed pain relievers and it develops is an organization at Staples that aims into more of an addictive problem later,” to encourage students to make healthy Cooper said. Though he said that the choices, including avoiding substance liberal prescription of opioids is a problem, abuse such as opioids. “Given the statistics in Connecticut, he acknowledges that the “medical community is certainly aware” and taking there is a huge [opioid] epidemic that I care to prevent athletes from experiencing hope teachers will address,” Juliana Beal ’18, one of the presidents of TAG said. addiction. At Clearpoint, Ashcroft deals with “In TAG, we have our freshman health patients who play or played Division 1 presentations, and given recent statistics, athletics in college, and became addicted we plan on including opioids as a segment to opioids after exposure to a high amount in our presentation.”
Photo Labeled for Reuse Under Creative Commons License
deaths are due to opioids, according to Connecticut’s Chief Medical Examiner James Gill in an interview with The Patch website. An opioid is any drug that he national opioid epidemic is relieves pain through the nervous system making its mark in Connecticut. including oxycontin and heroin. In the first half of 2017 alone, Opioid abuse and overdose, according 539 Connecticut residents died of drug to The Patch, is less common in Westport overdoses. In fact, death by drug overdoses than it is in towns such as Hartford, is more common in Connecticut than New Britain, Waterbury and Bridgeport. homicides, suicides and motor vehicle However, it is still an issue in the Westport crashes combined, according to the area, according to Molly Ashcroft, Hartford Courant. Certified Addictions Counselor and The majority of these drug-related Director of Business and Admissions for Westport House, a medical center which offers recovery services for addiction victims and mental health patients in Fairfield County. “[Opioid abuse] does not discriminate against the residents of Fairfield County,” Ashcroft said. “I would say roughly maybe 50 to 60 percent [of patients] have struggled [with] opioid abuse in some way throughout their life.” Of Clearpoint (larger umbrella organization including Westport House) patients, roughly 35 to 40 percent of them are from the town of Westport. H o w e v e r, Opioid abuse is not a huge c o n c e r n among Staples students, according to Staples Nurse Libby Russ. “I wouldn’t say opioid or drug use is the most prevalent issue [at Photo Labeled for Reuse Under Creative Commons License Staples] but it’s certainly
Tori Lubin ‘18
Casino giant sets sights on Bridgeport Alex Massoud ’20 MGM Casinos proposed a possible development project on Sept. 18 that would put a $675 million casino and resort in Bridgeport. The casino would be located across the street from the Bass Pro Shops, and would have roughly 2,000 slot machines, 160 playing tables and about 300 hotel rooms, as well as new entertainment and dining options. MGM executives say the project would create seven thousand new jobs and introduce roughly two billion dollars into the Bridgeport economy with its profits. However, this plan violates a law passed by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2015 stating that only the Mohegan and Pequot tribes have the right to build a casino in Connecticut. The law was created in order to protect Native American gaming laws and enforce
the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act population is not the only concern. The which restricts everyone except Native Coalition Against Casino Expansion in Americans from building casinos on Connecticut, a group consisting of over former tribal land. twenty organizations Kylie Adler ’19, arguing against Vice President of casinos, believes that the Social Activism it would not actually Club in Staples, benefit the state to believes that have another casino Native Americans in Connecticut. should be the only “Casinos act as people allowed to a vacuum, and they build casinos in are very detrimental Connecticut. “Native to a local community. Americans have a Up to 50% of profits right to this land of casinos come and it should not be from the backs of the stripped from them poor, the minorities MGM CEO JIM MURREN in order to promote and the jobless,” MGM Casinos proposed building a gambling,” Adler said. Michele Mudrick, $675 million resort in Bridgeport. How a Bridgeport Executive Director casino may affect of the Coalition Photo Labeled for Reuse Under the Native American Against Casino Creative Commons License
70 North Ave., Westport, Connecticut, 06880
Expansion in Connecticut, said. The MGM corporation has taken their case to court three times over the past two-and-a-half years, arguing, according to the lawsuit, that it is illegal to limit the construction of the casinos to just two tribes. Despite this, the courts have ruled against them all three times. The Connecticut General Assembly is divided on this issue. Republican State Senator Tony Hwang recently spoke out against the proposed casino. “Economically, it makes little sense to expand casino gambling when the Northeast faces a growing casino glut. You can’t base a successful, sustainable economy on gambling,” Hwang said. Andrew Doba, a spokesman for MMCT, an organization comprised of leaders from both the Mohegan and Pequot tribes, agreed with Hwang. “Authorization *Continued on page two
inklingsnews.com | STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL
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Inklings
October 27, 2017
News
Casino giant sets sights on Bridgeport *Continued from page one of this facility would violate the existing compacts between the two tribes and the state,” Doba said in a Sept. 18 statement. However, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and MGM’s Chief Executive
Officer, Jim Murren, believe the main advantage of building a casino in Bridgeport would be the creation of thousands of new jobs, which would stimulate the economy of Connecticut’s largest and second poorest city. MGM Casinos is working with RCI Groups, the owner of the waterfront
property where the casino is planned to be built. RCI’s spokesman, Robert W. Christoph, is confident that the casino will be extremely helpful. “We can take Bridgeport and we can turn it around,” Christoph said. Sam Laskin ’20 ultimately agreed with Christoph, but still acknowledges that there
may be consequences. “I think that a casino would probably bolster the state economy but might also encourage riskier behavior as gambling tends to do,” Laskin stated. There is no timetable for the decision on whether or not a casino will be built in Bridgeport with the East Windsor Casino already under construction.
LOOKING AHEAD Digital renderings display what the proposed MGM casino and resort would look like.
Digital Renderings Contributed by MGM
Chabad undergoes reconstruction, transforming antique building into centralized community center
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Izzy Connors ’18
he Chabad Lubavitch of Westport, a synagogue and Jewish center located on the corner of Newtown Turnpike, was built in the 1800s, making it one of the oldest buildings in Westport and a candidate for some upgrades. In an attempt to turn Chabad into a fullservicing Jewish center, it has undergone substantial structural reconstruction over the past year. The goal is to open the newly renovated center in January of 2018. The addition will expand the original building by 14,000 square feet, making the building 20,000 total square feet distributed over three floors. But even as the synagogue is modernized, strides are being made to protect it’s history; the original antique exterior of the building will be preserved. “We’ve gone out of our way to protect the antique building,” Peter Greenberg, the general contractor on the project, said. “We have new and old, and
marrying the two together makes it a According to Greenberg, the very complicated construction project. congregation is made up of about 300 New features include an educational people. However, the Chabad is unique wing on the in that it is not first floor, a new embership“We have new and old, and m parking lot, a based, and many large meeting of the programs marrying the two together room with a are geared makes it a very complicated offered dividing wall towards the entire that will separate com mu n it y. construction project.” the room into a T h e sanctuary and educational wing, -Peter Greenberg, a function hall, for instance, general contractor a four-bedroom will be open apartment, to the whole a large commercial kitchen, community and will have different a library and a teen lounge. thematic rooms to encourage learning. “We have been offering a lot of these “We’re going to have art lessons and things before, but we’ve had to rent spaces cooking lessons and a library that’s open and we’ve been confined,” Dina Kantor, to all and kids events that are open to the wife of Rabbi Yehudah Leib Kantor, all,” Kantor said. “I’m especially very said. “Now it’s going to be a full-servicing excited with our commercial teaching type of center where we have a steady kitchen because it will be a great space place where we can offer a lot more.” for caterers to come in and we can offer
lots of parties for people that want to rent a space for parties, as well as bringing in all kinds of chefs to do demos.” Max Sussman ’18, who attended Hebrew school at Chabad the first year it was offered, is one of many Westport teenagers who has been significantly impacted by the Chabad over the years. “Having a place for the Chabad to grow and prosper and become one of the hubs of Jewish life in Westport is amazing,” Sussman said. The building was also brought up to all modern-day codes. “It’s now completely handicap accessible, it meets all new fire building codes, full new sprinkler system, new energy codes,” Greenberg said. Kantor is excited to open the newly renovated synagogue and community center in late January. “This will be one central place where people can just drop in and there will always be something happening, so it really will allow for a home for the community.”
BOTTOM LEVEL
COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER
MODERNIZED BUILDING
On the bottom level of the new Chabad Jewish Center, there will be a learning program with five separate classrooms for different age groups.
(From left to right) Evan Perkins, Jared Herman and Peter Greenburg celebrate the opening of the new Chabad Jewish Center.
The Chabad Jewish Center of Westport is located at 79 Newtown Turnpike. The building will include a new teen center to promote involvement from the entire local community.
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Photos Contributed by The Chabad Lubavitch of Westport
Inklings
News
October 27, 2017
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LOCAL BRIEFS
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5 Bailey Blaikie ’19
October 28
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November 9
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ACT Exam
Teen Awareness Group Distracted Driving Simulator
On Oct. 28, the ACT will take place at many testing centers throughout Connecticut. Staples is not a test site, however, nearby high schools such as Weston and Fairfield Warde are test sites. Registration closed for this ACT on Sep. 22. The next ACT will take place on Dec. 9 and registration for this test closes on Nov. 3.
On Nov. 9, TAG is bringing the Save a Life Tour to Staples for the duration of the school day. The event will be outside the auditorium. Students can use the simulator during a free period or lunch wave. The Save a Life Tour is a distracted driving simulator that shows students the dangers of driving while distracted. Students will drive with the simulator and the instructor will have them use their phone to simulate the distractions of texting while driving.
November 4
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Stand Up for Homes with Hope The 10th annual Stand Up for Homes with Hope event will take place on Nov. 4 at the Quick Center in Fairfield from 8-9 p.m. Homes with Hope is an organization in Westport that assists people who have lost the ability to live in their homes. Stand Up for Homes with Hope will feature comedian Hasan Minhaj to raise funds for the organization. Tickets for the event range from $75 to $200.
November 7
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Election Day Election Day this year will be on Nov. 7 for the town and state level elections. Polling will be open at 6 a.m. and end at 8 p.m. The polling locations include: Long Lots Elementary School, Greens Farms School, Coleytown Middle School, Saugatuck Elementary School and the Westport Public Library. Polling location depends on the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) district of a residence. All Westport Public Schools will be closed for the day.
November 10-12, 16-18
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Players Production of “Newsies” The opening night for Staples Players production of “Newsies” will be on Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. There are eight productions of “Newsies” throughout the course of two weeks. The productions are Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Nov. 12 at 3 p.m., Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Players has been working closely with Disney to produce “Newsies.” They have been chosen by Disney as one of the first schools in the nation to put on a production of the show. The rights to produce the show will be released to the public next fall.
Photos 1-3 Labeled for Reuse Under Creative Commons License Photo 4 Contributed by TAG Photo 5 Contributed by Staples Players
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
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News
Inklings
October 27, 2017
First Selectman nominees prepare for upcoming election Opposing Marpe and running with Rob Simmelkjaer, Kane currently holds a position as chair of the Westport Democratic Committee. egistered town voters will elect “We have to do some creative Westport’s next First Selectman thinking,” Kane said on the on Nov. 7. Westport’s current topic of reviving Westport’s First Selectman, Republican Jim Marpe, art community. Kane pitched will be running for re-election against ideas such as pop-up shops and Democratic candidate Melissa Kane, accommodating Westport’s Independent candidate John Suggs and large amounts of local artists. unaffiliated candidate Timothy Elgin. “It’s essential that we have On Oct. 12, the four nominees someone in that role focused on participated in a debate at the Westport making Westport competitive Library, hosted by the Westport/Weston and economically sustainable Chamber of into the future,” C om merc e. Kane added. “The object of Kane believes MELISSA KANE AND ROB SIMMELKJAER [the debate] is to in focusing find the differences Westpor t’s Kane is running as the Democratic candidate. between the businesses around ca ndidates,” the large numbers Matthew Mandell, of Westport’s Executive Director local artists and of the Westport/ is uncertain Weston Chamber whether high end of Commerce, said. retail will fully The debate leave Westport. consisted of S u g g s , discussions running alone, has about Westport’s been a member of art community the Representative and promoting Town Meeting for 10 We st por t ’s years before deciding to JOHN SUGGS downtown stores. run for First Selectman. Suggs is running as the M a r p e “I was approached Independent candidate. advocated for by people from both the importance parties to consider it, of investing in people whom I respect infrastructure who asked if I would and amenities, consider running as an keeping tax rates Independent,” Suggs flat, and increasing said in an interview We st por t ’s with WestportNow. re put at ion After talking through the school systems and the with his family, he decided to run. arts community. He believes that Suggs advocates to rebuild Westport’s this presents Westport as a suitable downtown to attract residents of all town for families to work and live in. ages, including teenagers, and establish VOTER REGISTRATION “Amazon can’t treat you to a romantic a nightlife for Westport residents. dinner,” Marpe said on the topic of One of the largest changes Suggs Students who will be 18 years old by making Westport’s business unique, would implement is to remove Westport’s election day will be eligible to vote. “and [Westport must] leverage the fact Master Plan Committee, which is used Scan this QR code to register. that we don’t look like a giant strip mall.” to attract high end retail to Westport. “I would disband the Master Plan Committee[…] because it is going after the wrong issue. It is going after how to enhance high end retail and high end retail is “The only way to really participate not coming back,” Suggs said. fully is to inform yourself thoroughly Elgin, the final candidate about every issue, and if it interests you, running for First Selectman, to volunteer for that cause,” Goswami remains an unaffiliated elect. said. “Political involvement begins at the According to the Westport News, local level and it’s super important that Elgin has not held a position in the everyone exercises their right to vote.” town office but has volunteered for many years and “enjoys helping people and problem solving.” Elgin has recently been nominated the President of the National Institute of Science, due to his developments of “cleaner, safer water, and more energy efficient programs,” Elgin said. Elgin stated the importance JIM MARPE AND JENNIFER TOOKER of reaching out to Westport Marpe is the Republican incumbent. residents with stores other than high end retail and more stores with a range of prices. “We want storefronts that will stay,” Elgin explained, reiterating the idea of prices that can accommodate more than the upper class in Westport. TIMOTHY ELGIN Rohan Goswami ’18 is one TIMOTHY ELGIN of the few Staples students who Elgin is running as an unaffiliated is eligible and plans on voting candidate. in the upcoming election.
Allie D’Angelo ’20
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Photo by Charlie Colasurdo ’18
Photo Contributed by Marpe Campaign
Photo by Melanie Lust ’19
Photo Contributed by Stacy Bass
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Photo Labeled for Reuse Under Creative Commons License
Lack of state budget threatens cuts to schools Zach Horowitz ’19
The Connecticut Teachers Union sued Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy for imposing a $140 million cut to education funding under his executive order on Oct. 11. However, while many public school districts across Connecticut were blindsided by the budget situation, Westport was prepared. “I applaud the work of the Board of Finance and Board of Education last spring when we began to think about our planning for this budget season,” Dr. Colleen Palmer, Superintendent of Westport Public Schools, said. “The Town of Westport assumed we would not get any support for education. At this point in time, we’re not anticipating any revenue coming in from the state.” Connecticut is the only state in the country that has not enacted a budget for the fiscal year that began on July 1. Governor Dannel Malloy has vetoed the proposed budget by the GOP several times, resulting in Malloy having to manage the budget under executive order until legislators from both parties can buckle down on a compromise. The state of Connecticut faces a deficit of over $3.5 billion and has gone over 100 days without enacting a budget. Lawmakers are getting frustrated with Ma l loy ’s staunch v e t o e s . “At this point in Ma l loy ’s time, we’re not reason for anticipating any vetoing the revenue coming proposed b u d g e t in from the state.” from the GOP was outlined -Dr. Colleen in the CT Palmer Mirror. Ma l loy criticized the proposed budget for its “legally risky cuts to state employee pension contributions; insufficient aid to keep the City of Hartford out of bankruptcy; deep cuts to public colleges and universities; and huge savings the administration would have to achieve after the budget was in force,” the CT Mirror reported. Republicans, including state senator Toni Boucher from the 26th district, who has been a strong advocate for the GOP proposed budget and is adamantly opposed to Malloy’s veto, believes that the budget proposed by the GOP was the ultimate solution that people from both aisles could agree on. “When we put an alternative proposal on the table a couple weeks ago, we were shocked to see that enough Democrats crossed the aisle that our budget proposal passed both the senate and the house,” Boucher said. “[This is] because people were desperate; desperate because money for our school system and our towns were being cut so severely that something had to be done.” Legislative leaders are currently back to negotiation to figure out a final budget deal. This time, Malloy is sidelined from negotiation but will remain a part of the process through his communication with the press.
Inklings
October 27, 2017
News
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TAG conveys dangers of distracted driving Maya Brodows ’20
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n Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, The Teen Awareness Group (TAG) attempted to make a life-long impact on Staples students. The organization hosted its annual distracted driving presentation on the Staples football field. Students, Westport police and other members of the community came together at the event to participate in a variety of activities. Participants wore alcohol impairment simulation goggles (a.k.a. “drunk goggles,” which impair sight to simulate what it might feel like to be drunk) while attempting to perform a handful of tasks such as catching tennis balls and driving a golf cart around cones. “The main goal of the event is to help students realize the harmful effects of drunk driving and how they are uncontrollable by any person no matter how old or ‘experienced’ they may be,” Mia Kobylinski ’19, a member of TAG, said. Another key aspect of the event is getting to know local policemen in a casual situation. “Most participants, kids and officers, leave the event feeling like they have gotten to know each other, which builds community and understanding between both parties,” Elaine Daignault, the co-advisor to TAG and the Director of Human Services for Westport, said.
Alcohol-related car crashes accounted for 10,265 deaths in 2015. Although this number is decreasing, TAG hopes to spread awareness of the issue to prevent numbers from going back up. “We have reached out to different groups in the school and community to involve more types of people and students, expanding our audience and reaching more people than ever before,” Kobylinski said. The event emphasized how dangerous distracted driving is not only for the driver, but for anyone else on the road as well. “It’s important to teach students these lessons because a lot of people have the mindset of ‘this won’t happen to me.’ But if they hear a scary enough story or see how dangerous it is, then they will stop,” Taylor Rochlin ’18, a member of TAG, said. Jake Glickman ’20 said he never could imagine what driving intoxicated would be like until he tried on a pair of drunk goggles in an eighth grade health class. “I couldn’t catch a ball, so I can only imagine what driving would be like,” Glickman said. Glickman’s realization is exactly why TAG’s distracted driving event is an annual occurrence: to remind people of the dangers of distracted driving. “One bad decision affects not only your life, but other innocent people as well,” Ali Green ’20, a member of TAG, said. “TAG hopes to prevent students from making that one fatal mistake.”
“One bad decision affects not only your life, but other innocent people as well.” -Ali Green ’20
JOINING FORCES WITH WESTPORT POLICE OFFICERS Victoria Cao ’19 (bottom) and Zach Howard ’18 (middle-right), accompanied by Westport Police officers (top), attempt to navigate their way through the Teen Awareness Group’s distracted driving course. Photos by Charlie Colosurdo ’18
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
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OPINIONS
7 Editors-in-Chief
October 27, 2017
Amelia Brown & Anay Simunovic
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Matthew Bohn, Joseph DelGobbo, & Mary Elizabeth Fulco Crown Finalist for Inklingsnews.com from Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2015 Silver Crown Award for Newspaper from Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2014 Pacemaker from National Scholastic Press Association 2013 All the opinions, news and features in this paper are those of Staples High School students. Inklings, a curricular and extracurricular publication, has a circulation of 1,800 and is uncensored. All letters to the editor must be signed. The editorial board reserves the right not to publish letters and to edit all submissions as it sees fit. The editorial board determines all editorial opinions, which are authored faithfully by the Editors-in-Chief. Inklings reserves the right to not publish advertisements that promote products that could be harmful to student health. The paper is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association 70 North Ave. Westport, CT 06880 Phone: (203) 341-1994 Inklingsweb@gmail.com Decisions of Inklings and Westport Public Schools are made without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other discriminating basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.
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Student feedback should serve as a tool for formal teacher evalutions
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e know that all teachers are here to help us learn. Most are attentive, available and supportive to our different needs. However, improvements can always be made and giving students more of a voice to critique the classroom environment will allow for better teaching and better learning.
Inklings
EDITORIAL Students are most uncomfortable in an environment where teachers move through lessons too quickly, fail to provide adequate descriptions of material and do not make themselves
available for student conferences. If students are experiencing difficulty in the classroom, many remain silent in fear of getting on a teacher’s “bad side.” It is important that students are encouraged to voice their concerns, especially when the majority of a class feels lost or frustrated. One suggestion to garner more student feedback would be to implement mandatory teacher evaluations each semester. These evaluations should not be a broad Google form that students have to complete in five minutes at the end of class and then submit to the teacher who made it. Instead, the district should design a standardized evaluation form that students can complete during a home room period. The evaluations would go directly to the teachers’ superiors and be taken as a serious assessment of a classroom environment. The questions on the evaluation
[INKLINATIONS]
should address teaching style, class pace, workload and teacher availability. A combination of numerical and open-ended responses are necessary to gauge an understanding of the class environment. Rating the pace of a class on a scale of 1-5 is a starting point, but explaining specific areas of difficulty caused by a teacher is imperative. If the department chair or other administrators notice red flags in the evaluation forms, such as a large number of students describing the class environment as “unwelcoming,” then a conversation between the superviser and teacher should take place. From there, teachers should talk to students about how to create a better learning environment. Students should have a voice in the classroom. Afterall, we’re the reason everyone is here.
COMFORTABLE CLASS ENVIRONMENT?
Hannah Paprotna ’20
Eli Kogan ’21
“By letting students get to know each other better in the beginning of the year”
“Doing activities with teachers throughout the year that are interactive”
Maddie Baildon ’19 “By spacing out assignments so that it isn’t a stressful environment”
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
8 Opinions
October 27, 2017
Inklings
The Artichoke * Inklings Satire
*Reinstate the Rifle Club and Red Cross Club Amelia Brown ’18
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o you sit safely through six periods without hearing the deafening boom of rifle fire? Do you feel a sense of equality and respect in all your classes? Of course you do. But all that, Guest writer from luckily, can change! the Staples class I was recently of 1935. f lipping through my Class of 1935 Staples yearbook, reminiscing about the days of yore, when I found pictures of the Staples Rifle Club and Red Cross Club. Oh, what wonderful memories I have of
these clubs, so you might imagine make sure they’re actually going to my dismay when I discovered that make it home that night. What wimps! Now, maybe it’s just my multiple, they are no longer offered at Staples. Staples, and schools in general, are sustained concussions talking, but the all too “safe” these days. In my heyday, real skills, the fun stuff, is all gone. Rifle the lack of basic safety measures, like seat club and Red Cross clubs are the real belts, meant you could have a little adventure landmarks of a Blue Ribbon education. The rifle club advisor (bless his soul), before school by tumbling around the Ol’ Mr. Stevenson, taught us the backseat. Kids nowadays are important skills for being a man: Kids too protected. When shooting targets, shooting cans, now a d ay s we didn’t show up shooting clay pigeons and not crying are too protected. home for dinner and when you got hit by a hot bullet shell. I beat my chest, flex my pecs and hock When we were necking at the a loogie just thinking about the thick didn’t show drive-in movies, our cloud of testosterone that filled the up home parents didn’t give us air each time we we shot our rifles. for dinner Speaking of shooting things, the and were a thought. Red Cross Club was another staple necking at the drive-in movies, our parents of the Staples community. Whenever we didn’t give us a thought. Now, parents would accidentally injure one another, track their kids on their phones and those girls would be right there to
bandage the gory eye or oozing leg. The best part was they would sit patiently watching us, legs crossed, right over left, under their poofy dresses, as every lady should. What dolls! Ethel was my favorite. You really get to know a person after the 32nd time they’re stitching up a bullet wound on your inner thigh. The girls of Red Cross always had such high ambitions. Of course, I never actually listened when they were telling me what they were (I was too busy picturing the next can to shoot), but I know Smitty had big dreams. She wanted to, “get a sugar-daddy.” That’s the only female dream I could actually see coming true. Godspeed, Smitty. Godspeed. Now that there aren’t any classic, gender divided clubs, you don’t get the superiority complexes I enjoyed in the past. What a shame. Ah, how I miss the glory days.
THE RIFLE CLUB The strong rifle boys (left) flaut their masculinity in their 1935 yearbook picture.
SMITTY Barbara Smith (right), the apple of my eye. Barb always had that plastered on smile you would expect from a babe in those days.
RED HOT The dolls of the Red Cross Club were always the prettiest in the school. I wonder what Ethel looks like these days; I will check Facebook to see if she still got the looks.
Scan the QR code to view the complete Staples High School 1935 Yearbook. STAPLES IN 1935 (left) This is the front of Staples High School in 1935. Ain’t she a beaut? (right) This is a photograh of the cover of the 1935 Staples Yearbook. we didn’t need no fancy covers to trick people into reading ours.
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Photos extracted from Staples High School 1935 yearbook
October 27, 2017
Inklings
Opinions
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Extracurriculars should be an outlet rathe r than a bu rde I Elle F
e x t r ac benefi urricular a stude cia l especi ctiv ities is n nts a a lly ot n More lready fe with t he h ecessarily t’s a b e a burd i are ubble. You cases mo is not a lw l from a gh stress cadem For m en instead ays b re is s t u t r d a et t Sur en pp e, j w of ic pressu rounded ed. for ta k ts are a lr orse. In h er. In man s. become oining just somet hin g t hey e one cl a i i y r a b n g n e d y h s gh out y an th unabl u e to d stress, ye at requir igh level held respo chool, tea If conside let for me r b t hat I enj enjoy. bubbl a e e and pop t he jo t students hours o cademic nsible an ms, etc. ca red a strain at her t han oy has The nb , th cl d tim a in clu f feel a escap n ext commitmasses e co ecome equ ese clubs, s load. work l e. to he bs and of S n po r It a s ent, spor t a obliga lp t h o ack no is imp uming as lly as stres rts s Schoo taples H ad t e i m t o e P sf u n am wl or ar t b s i year imme l produces gh activ iti ticipating uild t he s in ord o better. S edge t he tant t ha choolwork l it see of str nse amo an sacrific es requires in ex ir resum er from U adhv i Ma fact t hat t studen . ms a s on wa e m t C e t u t t hat ys to preve if student ss and ev nt should e and tim dedication racurricul s. college Berkeley, hur, a col ore is no s ever y a l s e b e b t n e . e r r . l g e m t a o y I e t r re t he it. g. Mu sp ph ex a home work. night t he Many stud lectured t h perience, ent enjoy in ch of t h equires to key to c “Some stu asises t his dv isor y are ollege yet it to dr is t i m dents ents f g t he at you in he join Exce o given wn wit h pt, shouldn drowning eel t han jo are truly is not. Fin high scho e be able a multitud admission t hink t ha r d a o and t due to t h ll of t he ’t t hey exp in to imp ining one passionate ing a hob l t he col to fill out e of clubs s success t by m is work he pr solely lege ei r c h ress c ever ec t t h about in o e The p ssure t he a llenging t hey are a e stress th olleges w to build a rat her y any unive applicatio y available rder to n,” sh y put ou m ressur rsities ill rel ctiv iti at com slot o in hi sched resum a o e e i g n e extrac h school to achieve n t hemselv ule sports. s. Curren es wit h ex eve some e of your de a subst would rat said. “[.. h t .] t o I a e u i l r e y s f a n s h a ac t i r se , I ? fr c ad t ia cu r ave yo ov a lso fa rricular activ i erbearing, emica lly t h om them never felt play t hree ricular Pa u are inv v ities, eve l impact i e t hat ce is i n t n ea n b a o r y a v t b t n e l t o a i v ut ca y st r c if le r e I am not ne passio use t hey extreme st sit y sports ipating i d in few t hat me ch eded. rable espec ess t hat m t he L n an a e r na ia a e Partic r r t a ipatin lly because ny Kind a st year, I jo te about, n e somet hi ss solution eams, mo more c activ ities s n r l .” i n g in n i u umer t is a leader d because ned t he clu ot a burde g college. for succe e charities bs, mor ous m n e s , t he c b o s . In is f my Koo t a ke o e . Ma away fact, mo r accepta not t he ny stu lub has no interest in l to Be nc r f r e t crea o dents m being Stude a stu activ itie e into te consid d e er t he d stress for t he phra nts n t ’s aca s may sho s s e ac t dem iv ities simplicit y e less is uld more; ack nowl ics. less a n d ed t stress f ul a clarit y wi he idea t ge ha l l nd h ea lt hi lead to t er ro a utine.
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9
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Graphic by Melanie Lust ’19 & Catherine Graham ’19
The perfect storm: Why the time for Puerto Rican statehood is now As an American, I feel that it is unjust for an American population of 3.4 million, larger than 21 of our 50 states, to remain without the most basic of public utilities. Facing a desperate humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale, island representatives put out a call to the mainland—a call that the American President seemed reluctant to heed. Almost two weeks passed before Federal aid began to arrive, leaving the 3,515 square mile territory to effectively fend for itself. As an American living in the Northeast, it has been hard to imagine that our own government would leave its own citizens with suffering so needlessly, leaving the Mayor to plead for deliveries of supplies and water. And, finally, when some aid supplies did reach the island, I watched as volunteers grappled with finding a way to move them inland to the people that needed them, hampered by a lack of transportation infrastructure and federal oversight. I was happy to see that some mainland legislative leaders, including Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and John McCain (R-
AZ), decried the federal government’s response, taking to social media in response to insults levied at Puerto Rico by President Donald Trump. I sense that the staunch resistance to providing support stems from an underlying belief that Puerto Rican citizens are somehow “lesser” than Americans from the 50 states. Echoing back to our days as a colonizing power in the Caribbean, much of America, and by extension, its citizens, have never fully accepted or realized that Puerto Ricans are entitled to the same rights and freedoms that their mainland siblings are. To me, this is unjust and unAmerican to the core. This prejudice has allowed many of us to stand idly by as our fellow citizens suffer. For now, the increased media attention brought on by the bold actions of Puerto Rican politicians have shined the national spotlight on the plight of our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters. Aid is finally beginning to arrive at the borders, and public services, along with tourism, are very slowly reviving. As I see it, for Puerto Rico to weather both the physical and political storms of the future, the American People must begin to view Puerto Rico’s statehood as a vital and necessary process. If we take anything positive from this unfortunate turn of events, I hope it will be for all Americans to embrace Puerto Rico once and for all as the wholly American entity that it is. Graphic by Melanie Lust ’19
recent hurricanes in Florida and Texas were proactive, widespread and without reservation. I know this because my When I extended family in West Palm Beach, used to see Florida, faced only a few days without posters of power, as their electrical grid was quickly “Puerto Rico,” brought back to life. Similarly, friends my mind ran in Houston, Texas were back to school to images within less than a week, no doubt helped of tropica l by a swift and steady stream of Federal v a c a t i o n s , assistance. So why is it that Americans c o m p l e t e living in Puerto Rico, albeit 1,150 miles w it h white- off of our coast, are still struggling sand beaches, to obtain clean drinking water, let all-inclusive resorts and lazy days spent alone a resumption in public school? lounging by the pool. To me, those Let’s be clear: The island of Puerto images, however generic and simplified, Rico is an unincorporated territory of the were shattered following the landfall of United States, governed by the same three Hurricane Maria on Sept. 20, as footage branches of government that govern the of a scarred landscape were replayed rest of our country. However, American incessantly on the nightly news. Maria, people born in Puerto Rico lack legislative the third storm in a trio of devastating representation, as well as the ability to hurricanes that rampaged through the vote in federal elections. To me, this is Caribbean, put Puerto This appalling behavior the definition Rico at the forefront of of hypocrisy. on behalf of our nation’s national attention and In a June made me take notice of referendum, Commander in Chief has 11 an American territory a vast majority that has remained given me further reason of the island’s in the shadows for inhabitants voted to believe that Puerto way too long. As for statehood, an American, I was Rico must be recognized a vote that fell shocked and appalled at on deaf ears as a state. the events that followed, stateside. This particularly our President’s was the culmination of several votes seemingly inhumane reaction to a in favor of statehood, all to no avail. commonwealth that is part of the United But now, for the first time in American States. This appalling behavior on behalf history, Puerto Rico is “making waves” of our nation’s Commander in Chief has in the mainland as it faces innumerable given me further reason to believe that challenges on the path to rebuilding, a Puerto Rico must be recognized as a state. movement I wholeheartedly support, In comparison, the government’s as Puerto Ricans must fight and (and the President’s) responses to the claw for their very rights to survive.
Charlie Colasurdo ’18
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
10 Opinions
Protect protesting players; NFL more to blame
Kneeling during Anthem disrespects veterans
Zach Horowitz ’19
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Zach Strober ’19 The flag of the United States of America has been a symbol of freedom, liberty and human rights since the founding days of our country. Standing for and partaking in the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” at sporting events has become a way for U.S. citizens to show respect towards the past and present members of the Armed Forces who sacrifice their lives to protect the rights, liberties and freedoms we are able to enjoy every day. With a wide range of players in the National
Photo by Charlie Colasurdo ’18
Nevertheless, flag patches are affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations. The NFL hen President Donald Trump sells football jerseys with not just tweeted during the second one American Flag on them, but with week of the regular NFL a whole theme of the jersey being season criticizing the players for taking the American Flag. This too violates a knee during the National Anthem, the the federal Flag Code of Conduct. So, while the NFL has repeatedly movement was already dying down. But when he opened his mouth (or rather, violated the U.S. Flag Code of Conduct, logged into his Twitter account), Trump no one has openly expressed any fed fire to a dwindling flame, resulting outrage. Yet, when athletes decide to in an eruption. Players felt Trump had utilize their constitutionally protected attacked their First Amendment rights. right to protest, everyone freaks out. If you hate the athletes’ protest, And he had. Although NFL players, while fine. But don’t attack, penalize or fire them. playing, are technically in the workplace, Show your true respect and patriotism for the First Amendment still protects them this great country by upholding the First Amendment and from being fired Although NFL players, while protecting their for protesting. playing, are technically in the right to protest. Catherine J. workplace, the First AmendRoss, a professor ment still protects them from specializing in constitutional being fired for protesting. law at the George Washington University of law, said in an interview with ForTheWin.com, “The Supreme Court held as early as during World War II that citizens have the right not to salute the flag as a matter of conscience and clearly by analogy that would apply to not participating in the singing of the national anthem.” Now, it’s okay to feel offended by the players’ protest. No one says everyone has to agree with taking a knee during the National Anthem. But just because an action is deemed offensive by some people, does not mean Trump can prohibit people from protesting. In fact, the 1989 Supreme Court ruled in the Texas v. Johnson case: “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.” If you care about respecting the flag, you really shouldn’t be offended by the players who are exercising their First Amendment right to protest. Instead, be offended by the NFL because they are the organization upholding practices that actually disrespect the flag. That’s right. Every time the NFL stretches the American flag horizontally across the field during the National Anthem, they are actually violating Section 176 of U.S. Flag Code of Conduct that states: “The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.” The U.S. Flag Code of Conduct consists of a set of rules and guidelines that are technically federal laws that have no punishment for anyone who fails to comply with the guidelines. Further, the Flag Code states that “no part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.”
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Inklings
October 27, 2017
Football League taking a knee during the “Star Spangled Banner,” a message of disrespect for those who serve and protect America is being amplified across not only America but the rest of the world. This sign of disrespect should not be acceptable anywhere in our country, on or off the football field. The lack of respect shown for the men and women who so bravely sacrifice their lives for our safety is not something that we should take lightly. Although I agree with the intent of the NFL players who are kneeling for the National Anthem, which is to take a stand against social injustices and police brutality, I believe that there are much better ways they can go about it. For example, when NFL teams link arms during the National Anthem it sends a stronger and clearer message of equality and unity. The linking of arms shows that they all have each others backs and will help to solve the social injustices they are protesting together, without d i sre s p e c t i ng a n y o n e . In addition, players should b e c o m e activists outside of football. They should use their fame to help gain support for groups that advocate for social equality. The Philadelphia Eagles’ safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver T o r r e y Smith, along with retired wide receiver Anquan Boldin and Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett, wrote a letter to the NFL asking for help in campaigning for criminal justice reform and social equality. The activism exemplified by these four players has the potential to incite actual change in the community and does so without disrespecting anyone who has fought bravely to protect our liberties, freedoms and rights. NFL players should also follow the lead of what Colin Kaepernick has done outside of football to help inspire change. Although he was the first to kneel for the anthem, Kaepernick has also “put his money where his mouth is” by donating over $800,000 to help empower oppressed communities.
Inklings
FEATURES
October 27, 2017
11
New clubs launch at Staples Teddy Dienst ’20
S
taples’ annual Involvement Fair officially kicked off on Monday Oct. 2 as students flooded the cafeteria hallways to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved in a club. Whether it was for cooking, sports or technology, there was an abundance of names written on sign up sheets. At least 18 clubs were added to this
year’s lineup, one of which is the Social Entrepreneurs Club founded by Daniel Felton ’19 and Will Rosenthal ’19. “We want to benefit and help give students a better understanding of what it means to be an entrepreneur,” Rosenthal said about why they created the club. Ava Sholes ’20 also created a business -oriented organization called the Women’s Entrepreneur Club. The club’s focus is to “explore opportunities and gain an understanding in business,” Sholes said.
Social Entrepreneurs Club
Vice President Max Mahr ’19 (left) and Co-President Daniel Felton ’19 (right) began the Social Entrepreneurs Club this year to expose their peers to the entrepreneurial world. Graphic by Ali Green ’20
“We hope to accomplish helping students launch their own businesses. Our goal for the future is to have an entrepreneurial fair, similar to a science fair, [to] demonstrate new entrepreneurial ideas and compete against other businesses.” Another new club that attracted students was Elementary Unified Sports. President Brian Krawiec ’19 and co-president Zach Feinstein ’18 were inspired by the Unified Sports club at Staples. This club was created for disabled
Women’s Entrepreneurs Club
Ava Sholes ’20 created the Women’s Entrepreneur Club to encourage girls who hope to start their own businesses. The club plans to host an entrepreneurial fair.
Photo by Ellie Kravetz ’18
Photo by Nicole Caiati ’20
students in elementary school. “I hope to get more of our community involved with this and to create a fun environment for students to interact and become friends through an open gym,” Krawiec said. These are just a few of the clubs available to students. Grade level assistant Dee Hychko was impressed with the increasing popularity. “There’s a great interest in activities all over,” she said. “It’s also a great experience and a great way to meet new people.”
Elementary Unified Sports Club
Brian Krawiec ’19 is president of this year’s new club, alongside Co-President Zach Feinstein ’18. They plan to get the community involved in their efforts for disabled children. Photo contributed by Brian Krawiec ’18
Marpe promises fiscal protection if re-elected Melanie Lust ’19
As November rolls around the corner, so do municipal elections. Local candidates have been preparing and campaigning for months - among them are Republican incumbent Jim Marpe and his running mate Jennifer Tooker. As a former management consultant and Board of Education member, Marpe is running for re-election after four years of serving as the town’s first selectman. “I decided to run four years ago because I love Westport and I wanted to ensure that it remains a vibrant, unique, successful town,” Marpe said. He wishes to continue implementing responsible fiscal policies in order to protect Westport and its schools from financial issues at the state level. “I want to be sure we secure Westport’s financial future by practicing fiscal discipline and responsible management, and that allows us to protect our schools from budget cuts,” he said. “That ensures we can continue to provide the quality education that everyone who lives in Westport has come to expect.” He asserts that this election is critical to Westport’s future due to the state fiscal crisis. Marpe feels this issue could threaten many aspects of Westport that its citizens regularly enjoy. Connecticut closed the last fiscal year with a 22.7 million dollar
deficit, forcing funds towards many towns and schools to be reduced significantly; it is also the only state that has not yet passed an annual budget. For public schools, he believes financial security can assist with relieving pressure and competition by providing greater opportunities to students, saying students should “find the path that you want to follow” as opposed to limiting themselves due to a lack of opportunities. “The only way we can have that flexibility is appropriately funding the schools,” Marpe added. Going forward, Marpe wants to continue to work closely with Superintendent Palmer and the Staples administration to fulfill this goal. Specifically, he plans to combine a variety of operational activities - such as accounting, personnel management and computer system management, among others - in order to save time and money. “If I can save taxpayers money by working together with the schools to do administrative functions, then that frees up money to be directed towards educational-type activities. That’s the real goal here,” he said. As Election Day draws near, Marpe maintains that his experience is his greatest asset. “Because of the state’s ongoing budget crisis, and whatever new challenges are presented to us, I don’t believe this is a time to be learning on the job,” he said. “I think I have that experience that makes a difference and already a track record of success.”
Jim Marpe has been preparing for the local election alongside his running mate Jennifer Tooker. Marpe emphasizes his goal to ensure financial stability and protect Westport from the state budget crisis.
Photo by Melanie Lust ’19
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
12
October
Features
Students stand up
,
SHOWING PRIDE Aleja Pledge. He believes it sh family immigrated.
The Pledge by the numbers *Survey of 299 students
Do you sit or stand during the Pledge?
Do you put your hand over your heart during the Pledge?
I sit during the Pledge. I stand during the pledge. Infographic by Allie D’Angelo ’20
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Do you say the wo
I do not put my hand over my heart. I do put my hand over my heart.
27, 2017
Inklings
13
for their right to sit
TAKING A STANCE (*photo dramatization) Most students in period 3 of
social studies teacher Nell-Ayn Lynch’s U.S. History class stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. However, some opt to remain seated at their desks.
Photo by Charlie Colasurdo ’19 Graphic by Melanie Lust ’19
andro Perez Elorza ’18 chooses to stand for the hows respect for the U.S., the country to which his
ords of the Pledge out loud?
I do not say the words of the Pledge. I say the words of the Pledge.
P
Alex Reiner ’18 & Anay Simunovic ’18
Similarly to the NFL, members of the Staples community have freedom t 8:30 every morning, the to choose whether or not loudspeaker goes on and they stand for the Pledge, the same words are said. “I according to D’Amico. pledge allegiance to the Flag of the “It’s part of state law that United States of America and to we have to do the pledge in the Republic for which it stands, the morning and provide time one nation, under God, indivisible, for that, but there is really no with liberty and justice for all.” policy about what individuals As Principal James D’Amico have to do,” D’Amico said. recites the pledge, some students In fact, students who choose to stand with their hand choose not to stand during the held over their heart, while pledge are legally allowed to do others opt to remain seated. so as outlined in the Supreme For Alejandro Perez Elorza Court case West Virginia State ’18, standing for the pledge serves Board of Education v. Barnette. as a sign of respect. “If students don’t However, “As an immigrant, want to stand for the despite their being in a country pledge, they shouldn’t right to sit that gave me so during the feel like they are much, I have to show Pledge, Staples respect towards the forced to.” students flag and the country,” - Cathy Schager, social claim that Perez Elorza said. studies teacher some teachers In contrast, and members Leah Robins ’18 chooses to sit of the administration for the pledge and does not see require them to stand. the significance of standing. “There are plenty of teachers “Saying some words and putting that I’ve worked with who insist your hand over your heart isn’t that kids stand, take off their the way that I choose to respect hat, not chew gum, all kinds our country,” Robins said. of other things,” social studies The choice to not stand teacher Cathy Schager said. for the pledge has become Staples students who choose increasingly controversial as to sit also face criticism. “I can tell players in the National Football that some teachers are opposed League (NFL) have taken a knee to sitting,” an anonymous junior or raised a fist during the National who sits for the pledge said. “You Anthem as a protest against police get weird looks. It’s a thing that brutality and social injustice. people are not content with.” There is no rule in the NFL that In the wake of this conflict, prohibits players from doing so. Staples teachers discussed the
A
matter in their own classrooms. Schager, for one, has engaged in debates with students in her Contemporary World Studies class. “We basically just have a contextual conversation and then I leave it up to kids to decide what they want to do,” Schager said. After participating in classroom discussions, students like Lana Whittleton ’18 were able to formulate their own opinions. “If students don’t want to stand for the pledge, they shouldn’t feel like they are forced to,” she said. Although Schager allows members of her classroom to decide whether or not they want to stand during the pledge, she does emphasize the importance of respect. “I just explain to them that in my class they are expected to be respectful,” Schager said. “So I expect you to be quiet; but if they don’t choose to stand then they don’t have to stand.” School librarian Colin Neenan also stresses the significance of acting respectfully during the pledge. “I do ask people to stop walking because I think it’s disrespectful to walk during the pledge,” he said. Emerson Kobak ’18 understands why people believe that standing during the pledge is a sign of respect. However, as someone who chooses not to stand, she also believes that “it comes out to being your choice and how you want to go about it.”
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
14 Features
Inklings
October 27, 2017
Seeing double: There’s a new D’Amico in town
M
oving from a private school in California to a public school in Connecticut seems like a pretty big shift. The town, the weather and school size are drastically different. So the last thing James D’Amico ’20 could have anticipated was running into someone with the exact same name. James* moved to Staples from Huntington Beach, California in August. It only took a day of school for him to realize he shared the same name as Principal James D’Amico. “It is a little weird and a lot of people either say, ‘are you the principal’s son’ or ‘wait, you have the same name as the principal,’’’ James said. Beyond the initial confusion, James
check my email every class, and she seemed really nervous because she didn’t want to get in trouble for it,” James said. Despite sharing the same name, love of the beach and affinity for history as D’Amico, James is trying to forge his own path at Staples, a hard task coming in new sophomore year. “First it was obviously a culture shock, I didn’t know a single person at the school, so the first couple days I felt by myself,”
Scan this QR code to watch a fun Q&A with the two D’amicos.
Graphic by Jordi Katz ’20
*The student James D’Amico will be referred to as James, while Principal James D’Amico will be referred to as D’Amico.
was sent emails intended for D’Amico. “The first day of school the librarian said you have the same email as the principal, so you might get some of his emails by accident if someone isn’t paying attention,” James said. One day, James was taken out of class and brought to the AP’s office, where he was informed that he received a “classified” email from a teacher. “I hadn’t [read it] because I just don’t
Photo by Ian Bernstein ’18
Ian Bernstein ’18 & Amelia Brown ’18
James admitted. “But, then mostly because of soccer and meeting new people, [...] I feel like I’m part of the group.” Since he was five, James has had a love for sports, mainly soccer and baseball. While he didn’t play soccer in high school last year, James made the Staples junior varsity boys’ soccer team this year, which has helped him transition. “Here the teams are good and the kids are cool, so it’s been fun,” he said. Back home, James played baseball year-round and looks forward to continue on with his baseball career as a Wrecker. “I’ve met some of the kids on the baseball team and I hope to meet more,” James said. “They won state tournament last year so obviously they’re really good.” Although moving across the country might seem like a huge adjustment, James explained the process has been easier than one might expect. “There hasn’t been that much of a change; the school doesn’t even feel that big even though when you look at it, it is pretty big,” he said. According to Ann Neary, James’ Intro. to Journalism teacher, “[James] gets along well with people and has a good sense of humor,” making his transition into Staples that much easier.
‘Hate Has No Home Here’ signs foster acceptance Lili Romann ’19
Vibrant red and blue coloration on posters and car magnets consume the spirited curbsides of Westport’s main roads and residences. Hate Has No Home Here, a project implemented in America from North Park, Chicago, has developed into a vast, nationwide movement. Who are the leaders of the Westport division? The Westport School District’s very own teachers and students. “It’s so important that we have a sign supporting this movement outside of our house in Westport because it shows that we’re a hate-free household,” Jack Sharkey ’18 said. “My mother saw them around town and immediately decided we should participate.” Hate Has No Home Here attempts to prompt a dialogue in communities around the United States regarding hate speech and discriminatory behavior. The slogan “Hate Has No Home Here” was
and hate crimes in our initially envisioned by a country will not go away kindergartener and a third if people avoid it,” Rao grader from Chicago. said. “On the contrary, The posters, car magnets, there is encouragement signs and flags state their in seeing your neighbors message in six languages. take a stand that they will “When neighbors of not support hatred. This different races, religions, simple, non-partisan, nonand nationalities move past denominational sign of indifference to investment welcome that moved my in one another, we knock heart in Illinois is a way for us out the underpinnings of to put our values out for all to racism and intolerance, and see. These are the American make possible a better future ideals that are beacons to the for our communities,” the world - it’s up to each of us to organization’s website states. keep those Teacher Kerstin Rao “The rise in bigotry b e a c o n s ning at Bedford and hate crimes in bb rui gr ht l y.” M i d d l e Signs School was our country will not be ga lvanized go away if people can f o u n d to give this many m ove m e nt avoid it.” - Teacher at residences a proper Kerstin Rao throughout home in town as We s t p o r t well as many public places after the Charlottesville including stores, schools, riots that advocated for restaurants and churches. white supremacy. Rao Earlier this summer, spent her past summer in someone angrily took down Evanston, Illinois visiting a Black Lives Matter sign family and observing these that was placed in front of signs for the first time. She The Unitarian church. In it’s takes pride in her biracial place, a Hate Has No Home marriage with her Indian Here sign has been put up. husband and believed it However, not everybody was important to finally finds good reason in putting emphasize this notion of these signs in Westport. acceptance and togetherness. “I think these signs are “The rise in bigotry
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
completely unnecessary and it is a waste of time to put them up,” Calum Gordon ’19 said. “In Westport, we live in a bubble where there is barely any crime, and the children and teens are extremely privileged and have to face no difficulties in life. There is not hate. Hate has no home here and will never have a home.” Implementation of these signs has also been in effect in the Staples library, and some students and teachers find it an absolutely necessary installation. “It seems like the library’s a good place to have it, because it is a central location that so many students come through throughout the day,” Librarian Tamara Weinberg said. “It seemed like a good idea to have that kind of a message being portrayed, because we want people to feel like this is a safe place that doesn’t tolerate that kind of behavior.” Photos by Amanda Kaplowitz ’19
October 27, 2017
Inklings
Features
15
Project Lit inspires new book club A CLUB FOR THE COMMUNITY
Olivia Foster ’18
Photo by Olivia Foster ’18
Photo by Charlie Colasurdo ’18
The book club culture is alive and booming, and it’s making its way towards Staples. Debating the merits of a plot line, having lengthy conversations ranging from serious to lighthearted and noshing on a platter of cheese and crackers are all staples of book club culture, and will soon be a part of the Staples community as well. English teacher Rebecca Marsick is the driving force behind implementing the book club. She was inspired by an unusual source: Jarred Amato, a Maplewood High School English teacher in Nashville, Tennessee. Amato created Project Lit, a system of delivering books to schools in urban areas, otherwise known as “book deserts,” that lack access to an abundance of literature. “Books are a really great way and a really safe way to start discussing issues that we’re grappling with as a country today,” Marsick said. In Amato’s own classroom, he recognized the deficiency of books and decided to establish Project Lit as a way to increase student access to books and foster conversations about a different book each month. “All students deserve access to highquality, culturally relevant books along with ongoing opportunities to discuss those texts with caring peers and adults in their community,” Amato said. He has already seen success with his students after implementing Project Lit, and the Staples club hopes to have the same results.
Marsick envisions the conversations will reach outside the walls of Staples and cover a wide range of issues. The club is flexible; it will meet once a month during the lunch waves and anyone can stop in to chat even if they weren’t at the past meeting. Information about future club meetings will be spread through email; check out @marsickreads and @mrlynchstagram on Instagram for additional information on the club and great new reads. Last year, hard-core reader and English teacher Reilly Lynch worked with Marsick to start the book club. This year he plans to help out and chat alongside students in the club. “Part of the experience of reading is being able to talk about and pull out your favorite parts and discuss. I’m most excited to see a group of people discussing this book [The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas] that is highly relevant, semi-controversial, and seeing what it can do for the community and the thoughts it can provoke,” Lynch said. “We are really trying to push a culture of readers. This is just one of many tools we have to make reading more visible, and to make people realize its potential and how enjoyable it can be.” Natalie Carozza ’21, an avid reader, is excited for the opportunity to participate in a book club that would make it more manageable for students to read books outside of the curriculum. “I usually read in my spare time, which is generally during the summer,” Carozza said. “Depending on my work load I might join the club, because I think it’s a great way to get people involved in reading during the school year.”
(From left to right) English teacher Reilly Lynch, Department Head Julie Heller, English teacher Rebecca Marsick, librarian Colin Neenan and English teacher Sam Goldberg celebrate the new book club’s introduction to Staples. They pose alongside novels they plan to read.
MARSICK’S GOOD READS Marsick plans to read “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas with the new book club’s members. English teacher Reilly Lynch is looking forward to students’ reactions to the novel.
Graphic by Sam Effman ’18
Julia Rosier ’18
The dark, smoke-filled entrance of rags and ruins and silhouetted figures outlines the entrance to another world. The sinister laughter and screams coming from the figures fill the rooms as you walk through. Different scenes from graveyards to butcheries come into sight and figures with masks jump out and give you a thrill. The tradition of attending haunted houses entices Staples students each Halloween. Available this year are the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut; the Playland Amusement Park in Rye Brook, New York
and The Headless Horseman Haunted Trails in Ulster Park, New York. Bryn Reilly ’18 attended the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce and described it as a smoke-filled field. “[The haunted maze] was really scary because you didn’t know if anything was going to pop out at you,” Reilly said. “You couldn’t even stand next to a friend.” In addition to the maze, the Haunted Graveyard includes a butchery and haunted vampire house. Gabriela Vega ’18 has attended the same location three times. “I wasn’t that scared because I’ve been many times and know what’s coming,” Vega said. “They didn’t have some of the effects they usually do [in past years] but other than that it was pretty similar.” Margo Cerrone ’18 attended the Headless Horseman Haunted Trails in
New York. She stated that she became increasingly nervous as she neared the entrance. “The first scare I got was before I even went in the haunted trails. It was while waiting on the line,” Cerrone said. The Headless Horseman Haunted Trails is composed of numerous “exhibits” instead of one large haunted house. In addition, actors walk around the trails to give people the complete experience. “I remember in the butchery scene, the actor cut a fake piece of meat and fake blood came out and he held it to my face and said ‘want a bite?’,” Cerrone said. “I jumped back and was disgusted by the prop because they did an excellent job not only portraying the role of a butcher but also creating life-like bloody meat.” Similarly, Carolyn Cassell ’20 attended the haunted house because she has always enjoyed horror movies. “I thought it would
be a good experience, but [after] I was screaming for seven minutes,” Cassell said. Sophia Sherman ’18 went to the haunted house at the Playland Amusement Park. “It wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be,” Sherman said. “Most of the time my friends and I joked around and tried talking to the people in the haunted house.” Sherman believes that the temptation of haunted houses is derived from the challenge to determine whether she can be scared. For Reilly, the lure of haunted houses lies in the thrill of being spooked. “You know you’re not going to get hurt, so it is kind of just a thrill and you get to have fun,” Reilly said. “I guess some people like being scared and not knowing what’s going to happen.”
Graphic by Tomaso Scotti ’20
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
16 Features
Inklings
October 27, 2017
Students display pride during spirit week
Photo story compiled by Cate Casparius ’19
Graphics by Catherine Graham ’19
PAJAMA DAY
A) (From left to right) Kristin Butler ’18, Margo Cerrone ’18 and Jessie Parker ’18 stay comfy for the first day of spirit week. B) Senior girls celebrate Pajama Day by embellishing their outfits with slippers.
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Photo by Cate Casparius ’19
B)
Photo by Nicole Shapiro ’18
D) C)
U.S.A. DAY
C) (From left to right) Agnes Holm ’19, Grace Miller ’19, Sophie Tricarico ’19, Hannah Eldh ’19, Emily Putman ’19, Ida Nevstad ’19 and Nevin Gordon ’19 (top) pose for pictures in the courtyard and sport their American attire. D) Ella Sunshine ’19 (left) and Emily Putman ’19 (right) take selfies in their red, white and blue. Photos by Cate Casparius ’19
E)
TWIN DAY
E) (From left to right) Anna Greenspan ’18, Emma Rojas ’18, Gabi Zielke ’18, Olivia Von Der Ahe ’18 and Bryn Schumacher ’18 dress as the “Pink Ladies” from Grease to uphold the tradition of wearing the same outfit as an entire class.
Photo by Cate Casparius ’19
G)
F)
H) COLOR WAR
F) Julianne McGrath ’20 represents her graduating class with white paint and clothes. G) (From left to right) Peter Clanton ’18, Noah Tanen ’18, Scott Adler ’18, Alex Cheema ’18, Gerard Von Spaendonck ’18, Greg Dusenbury ’18, Ryan Quinn ’18 and Declan Harding ’18 dress in their class color, red, for Thursday’s spirit day. H) Math teachers Caroline James (left) and Dana Dolyak (right) dress in pink to represent the staff.
Photos by Cate Casparius ’19
K)
BLUE AND WHITE DAY
I) Cheerleaders wear football players’ jerseys with painted legs for the homecoming game on Friday night. J) Robinson Brown ’20 shaves his head to uphold the football team’s tradition. K) Seniors display their customized shirts in the stands of Friday’s pep rally.
I)
J)
Photo by Melanie Lust ’19 Photos by Cate Casparius ’19
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Inklings
October 27, 2017
ARTS
17
FALL FASHION Trends to look out for this season Caroline Blevins ’18
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hen the leaves fall off trees and the cool Connecticut temperature drops to 60 degrees, Staples fashionistas can be found at Oddz of Westport, Urban Outfitters or Lululemon to keep warm. Finally, it is time to jump into a pair of leggings, throw on a sweater and kick it in the trendiest boots of the season. From head to toe, here are five cozy must-haves for a chillingly chic October. To start, shoulders with ruffles will flourish in the halls this fall. Big, bold, puffy sleeves will certainly be flapping. While Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant and Ellery are predicting broad shoulders to be popular this fall, I envision something a bit different. Flares that start at the elbow provide a new and updated look. The ruffle obsession began in the summer of 2017. Now that the decorative flares have become more popular, the trend is following into other seasons. “Ruffles are a trend that are becoming even more popular than they are currently,” Amanda Neckritz ’18 said. “My mom’s store, ‘Groove,’ sells inventory with ruffles daily. I love trying on the new items with ruffles on when they come in. You will definitely see me in the halls wearing ruffles this fall.” Just like Amanda and almost every other student in school, I will also be wearing ruffles this fall. I loved the initial trend of ruffles when they began
in the summer and I will continue to support them throughout the cooler seasons. To complete the outfit, I recommend throwing on a pair of blue or black ripped jeans and boots. Check out Staples students in all things checkered this season. Flannels may be back this fall, but the black and white picnic-patterned shirts are a new and improved approach to a typical shirt. “I like wearing plaid and flannels especially in the fall because it’s just the right weather outside to get away with not wearing a jacket,” Luke Welch ’19 said. The picnic-pattern p o s s e s s e s a “scarecrow” vibe that is a must-have for any fall occasion. Whether you’re on your way to school, pumpkin picking, apple picking or taking a fall family photoshoot, this style will come in handy. Shirts, skirts and pants are all highly encouraged and a great way to stay fashionable. Boys, flannels look best with khakis or jeans and make a great alternative to a sweatshirt. Girls, pair your flannel or picnic patterned shirt with black ripped jeans and short booties. All things burgundy are predicted to be a hit this season. Moving forward from last year’s burst of orange, burgundy is pred icted
to be the hottest color of the season. A deeper shade of red is perfect for this time of year and is a good excuse to bundle up in scarves, sweaters and vests. “Burgundy is a warm and rich color that absolutely screams fall, and I love wearing a light gray sweater with a burgundy scarf, or vise versa,” Remi Levitt ’21 said. But it can have a drawback. “Since burgundy is such a powerful color in and of itself, it’s difficult to pair it with any other color than a neutral,” Levitt added. Lastly, slip into some swanky sneakers. Glittery, starred, slip-on and platform sneakers seem to be all the rage and I see why. For the newest and greatest, Steve Madden is always my go-to. For shoe shopping addicts and trendsetting enthusiasts, you can never go wrong with any type of Steve Madden footwear. In any given case, they can make or break an outfit. “To me, sneakers are the final touch of the outfit,” Jacob Maged ’18 said. “People can look straight at you and see what you’re wearing, but if the shoes match or stand out, it turns heads.” There are two perks that go along with a prominent sneaker. One, there is not much effort involved. Honest ly, students
“Burgundy is a warm and rich color that absolutely screams fall.” -Remi Levitt ’21
STYLISH SNEAKERS Emily Putman ’19 shows off her embroidered pink slip on shoes from Dirty Laundry.
walk with their heads down in the halls so the rest of your outfit may not even be seen. Throw on leggings, silver sparkly sneakers and a grey sweater and you’re all set, looking comfy and trendy. But perhaps you’re looking to impress. In that case, there is perk number two: shoes can be the final touch when completing an outfit, if they match you’re all set. Second, having fashionable sneakers can be useful on those dark mornings when you’re too lazy to throw on boots. Since the coolest shoes have so much going on, the rest of your outfit can be basics. When going on that yearly fall shopping spree, make sure to follow this guideline. Oh, and always keep in mind the wise words of Coco Chanel, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
Photos by Nicky Brown ’19 & Anna Rhoads ’19
HALLWAY STYLE (LEFT TO RIGHT) Genevieve Domenico ’19 shows off her ruffled top, Lillie Bukzinn ’20 wears her flannel that is great for the cooler temperatures and Arianna Pooya ’20 sports her burgundy sweater, the perfect color for fall this season.
To find out more ways to stay trendy this fall scan this QR code.
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
18 Arts
October 27, 2017
Inklings
Stay festive with these three Halloween treats
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s the leaves fall and the foliage turns to bright yellow and red, Halloween is soon to come, bringing tons and tons of candy. Although extra candy is always exciting, it isn't the only sweet thing this holiday is good for. Here are three ways to get rid of some extra candy while making festive Halloween treats.
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Marshmallow Ghost Cupcakes
A classic Halloween icon is a spooky white ghost. Try recreating the cute icon in an easily baked dessert: ghost cupcakes. You will need: Cupcake liners, 1 box of chocolate cake mix, 1 cup of butter, 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 7 oz of marshmallow fluff and 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract and eye candies. Preheat oven to 350° and put cupcake liners in a cupcake tin. Combine chocolate cake mix with the ingredients noted on the box. Pour the batter into cupcake tins and bake for 20-24 minutes. While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the frosting. Combine the marshmallow fluff with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Once the cupcakes are baked, take them out and cool for approximately 20 minutes. Frost the cupcakes by dipping them into the frosting and then placing two eye candies to represent the eyes. Boo!
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Maple Cinnamon Ice Cream Sandwiches
Maple and cinnamon are classic fall flavors. They are great alone, but even better when combined into a delicious warm cookie with vanilla ice cream and sprinkles. Try making these maple
cinnamon ice cream sandwiches. You will need: 1 egg, 1/3 cup of maple syrup, 1 tsp of baking powder, 1/2 tsp of baking soda, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar, 1 tsp of cinnamon, 3 cups of flour and 1/2 tsp of maple extract, vanilla ice cream and sprinkles. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or nonstick cooking spray. Beat together the egg, maple syrup, brown sugar and cinnamon. Combine the baking powder, baking soda and flour in a separate bowl. Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the other mixture while stirring. Once it becomes a thick consistency, form balls of dough and place them onto the sheet. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Once the cookies are out and cool, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in between two cookies. Then, roll the sandwich into the sprinkles to get an even coating.
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White Chocolate Candy Bark
Do you have lots of leftover candy that will take you a year to finish? Throw some of it into this easy candy bark. You will need: M&M's, candy corn, sprinkles, white chocolate Kit-Kats, candy eyeballs and 3 cups of white chocolate. Separate the 3 cups of white chocolate into three different bowls to facilitate melting. Alternate putting the bowls into the microwave for one minute at a time (make sure not to burn the chocolate). Once it’s melted, spread it evenly onto parchment paper on a baking sheet. Sprinkle the Kit Kats, candy eyeballs, M&Ms, candy corn and sprinkles all over the chocolate. Pop it into the freezer for one hour and you’re done. Once cooled, cut up all the pieces and enjoy with your friends!
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Photos by Cate Casparius ’19 and Bailey Blaikie ’19
Bailey Blaikie ’19 & Cate Casparius ’19
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These three recipes are the perfect addition to any Halloween. Whether you’re trick-or-treating or staying in, there’s no reason not to be festive and make use of any extra candy.
FESTIVE FOOD (TOP TO BOTTOM) Chocolate ghost themed cupcakes are sure to be a sweet scare along with Halloween themed ice cream sandwiches. White chocolate bark is perfect for all of the leftover candy after trick-or-treating.
Fall into the new season of fall television shows
Graphic by Tomaso Scotti ’20
Whether it be for procrastination or simply for enjoyment, many Staples students devote countless hours to watching TV. Once viewers finish binge watching a show, anticipation builds up for the next season. Well, TV fanatics are in luck. This month, many of Netflix’s most popular shows are releasing new seasons. “The Fosters” is a Netflix goodie that released its fifth season on Oct. 5. “I found season five really interesting because they tackled contemporary issues, such as immigration and Dreamers, while keeping the
show engaging,” Isabel Handa ’19 said. In previous seasons, “The Fosters” focused on the ups and downs in the life of the Fosters, a family of adopted and foster children. Throughout the show, the five kids endure stresses spanning identity crises to peer drama that always left viewers hooked. Another hit returning to Netflix is season two of “Stranger Things.” Season two will be released on Oct. 27, but until then, people are biting their nails in anticipation. In season one, kids go missing, frightening sounds are heard, curious creatures appear and viewers were left on the edge of their seats and clicking the ‘play next episode’ button.
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
“My favorite part about season one was the references to classic movies such as ET,” Henry Koskoff ’19 said. “I find it interesting how they related the plot or things from the past.” With the release of season two, fans are wondering what will happen with the group of kids and can’t wait to find out more. “‘Stranger Things’ is hands down one of my favorite shows,” Catherine Sprouls ’19 said. “I know I’ll finish season two in just a matter of days.” The CW show, “Riverdale,” has been the center of attention since putting its first season on Netflix on Jan. 26, 2017. The halls have been buzzing ever since the rumours about the love triangle between the characters Archie, Veronica
and Betty. On Oct. 12, “Riverdale” fans indulged themselves with the newly released second season. Netflix viewers will have to wait, however, since season two is airing first on TV. So far, the reviews for season two of “Riverdale” are mixed. “This episode wasn’t my favorite. It set up questions that will be answered in later episodes and had a lot of emphasis on Archie and his dad,” Juliana Beal ’18 said after watching the season premiere. However, some still hold out hope, “I am very excited because last season ended on a cliffhanger and I want to see what happens to t h e characters,” Mia Gonzalez ’20 said.
Graphic by Cat Graham ’19
Hannah Bolandian ’19
Inklings
Arts
October 27, 2017
Photo by Charlie Colasurdo ’18
“The Snowman”
19
plot and characters left me feeling cold Megan Doyle ’18
H
EXHIBIT POSTERS Signs advertising Vivian Meir’s art show are located at the Westport Arts Center
Vivian Maier’s secret passion on display Graphic by Katie Howard ’19
ere’s a list of activities that I would prefer doing rather than watch “The Snowman:” take another SAT, sit through my cousin’s dance recital or read a math textbook for a whole weekend. In short, “The Snowman” was the worst two hours I’ve ever spent $10 on. Although “The Snowman” was marketed as a horror filled action movie to get one’s heart racing, in reality, I almost fell asleep. Before the movie, I joked with my friends about leaving early because of the 8 percent rating it received on Rotten Tomatoes. Halfway through, I was seriously considering it. The movie, which premiered on Oct. 20, follows two detectives as they attempt to identify a serial killer who targets mothers as it snows. Directed by Swedish film director Tomas Alfredson, it features Michael Fassbender as the lead, along with Rebecca Ferguson. The entire movie feels like the first few minutes of a “Law and Order” episode, when the extras find a dead person and then proceed to call the cops. It’s the part that can be skipped over if running out of time. We spent two hours in anticipation of heart-racing action, and by the end, I was actually rooting for the killer so something would happen. Amidst the boring scenes lie a few subtle plot points, which the viewer would only understand if they hadn’t zoned out already. Since these shifts are so understated, it’s hard to follow what is going on. Every few minutes it seems like new characters are introduced and are not fully developed. This only perpetuates the confusion of the film and ultimately takes away from the story as a whole. The two main characters are complete opposites; one is severely underdeveloped, while the other is
annoyingly overdeveloped. The second is also extremely cliche, as he is a drunk who barely talks to his son. And I won’t even mention that his name was Harry Hole. The only aspect of the film I can applaud is the landscape. Sweeping images of beautiful snow-covered trees and mountains connect the scenes. Also, the dark gray lighting supports the spooky atmosphere. In addition, the killings themselves are stylistic. For example, one scene shows a snowy cliff with white birds gathered together, and when a shot is fired they scatter to reveal a disfigured corpse. Overall, “The Snowman” is a tiresome horror wannabe that I would not recommend to even my worst enemy.
By Dana Perelberg ’20 The large, long room was mostly empty except for the walls, which were covered by a variety of both colored and black and white photographs placed on white backgrounds. Vivian Maier, a nanny and photography hobbyist, took these photographs, but they were only printed and viewed by audiences after Maier’s death in 2009. Now they are on display at Westport Arts Center until Nov. 10. When Maier moved to the United States, her passion was photography. Over the course of five decades, Vivian shot more than 100,000 photographs, a majority of which were taken in New York City and Chicago. “She was just somebody with a secret passion, a secret hobby that “She was just was purely for her own pleasure. somebody with She didn’t share a secret passion, her photographs with anybody, a secret hobby which makes it that was very interesting,” Lillie Fortino, purely for her a photographer own pleasure.” and employee at Westport - Lillie Fortino, Arts Center Westport Art said. “And being able to uncover Center employee them, you know, years and years later and discover this great artistic eye, just goes to prove that anybody has that ability. Just follow your passion, follow your dreams, and do what you love.” Maier’s photographs mostly featured the less fortunate. According to her official website, Vivianmaier.com, she was motivated to take their pictures due to“an emotional kinship she felt with those struggling to get by.” Though she faced many hardships and bumps in the road, including financial issues herself, her desire to take meaningful photographs prevailed. “[This exhibit] represents her eccentricity,” Fortino said. “It represents (Photo labeled for reuse) her curiosity about the world. It really shows how she was a hidden figure in society but she observed ever y t hing.” Maier’s journey is a testament to the adage that passion pays off. “Viv ia n’s CARRIAGE RIDE Photo from New photographs make York City, 1953 are one of a people reflect on collection of photos on display at their life and their the Westport’s Art Center decisions and cause them to follow their passions,” Nicole Caiati ’20 said. Since the discovery of Maier’s photographs, her life has been featured in a documentary about her secret lifestyle, called “Finding Vivian Maier,” and can be viewed on Netflix. “It feels so good to see a community enchanted with her work just like I was for so many years,” Fortino said.
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
20 Arts
October 27, 2017
Inklings
Last minute DIY Halloween costumes Amelia Brown ’18 & Lili Romann ’19
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s Halloween approaches, many students may realize they do not have a costume planned and ultimately struggle to find something to wear the night of. You shouldn’t have to drop an exorbitant amount of cash on the 24-hour shipping; just take a walk over to your closet. Here you have it, the full “do it yourself” (DIY) guide to the perfect Halloween costume: costeffective, feasible and fun. Peace out on the traditional Halloween hype and have a chill night as a hippie. Reject the conventional values of Halloween and try reverse trick-or-treating: go to houses and spread some love by putting candy into their bowls when they open the door.
PHOTOS BY ELLIE KRAVETZ ’18
Don’t worry if you get lost from your group this year, as tourists always do. You can just tag along with any group passing by until they start to question who you are. When that happens, pull out a map and ask to be directed to the nearest candy-endowed house.
It’s-a-me, Luigi! To get in character, jump and twirl in the air every time you get a piece of candy you like. If you throw in a tip on how to fix the garbage disposal it will let them know that you haven’t forgotten your humble plumber background and you’ll be good to go.
Make sure that after you ring the doorbell to houses as Waldo, you hide behind the nearest bush, plant or statue. It’ll give a real sense of authenticity when the homeowner is standing there looking around confused; just how people look at the Where’s Waldo books!
AD STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
Inklings
October 27, 2017
SPORTS
21
FCIAC supports St. Joe’s Lewis:
Player comes back after cardiac arrest Isabella Bullock ’19
“The practice was going really well and, out of nowhere, I fell,” Lewis said. Sierra Clark, one of Lewis’ team members at St. Joseph High School, said Lewis “collapsed and her teammates thought it was a heatstroke.” Those on the field did not realize until much later that ore than 350,000 Americans Lewis had actually gone into cardiac arrest. “Her heart stopped for 15 suffer from cardiac arrest every year, and almost 90 percent of minutes, and her coach gave her these cases result in death, according to CPR on the field,” Ashley Wright ’19, who played in the game, said. CPR Facts and Stats. “I was actually at the Laci Lewis of practice so it was pretty St. Joseph High devastating to see,” School, was of the Photo by Am anda Kaplowitz Reese Sutter ’20, a CFC ’19 10 percent who teammate of Lewis, survived. said about the incident. Lewis is a Staples athletic member of the St. trainer Gaetana Deiso Joseph girls’ soccer team wasn’t on the field for the and plays premier soccer for the Connecticut Football Club, informally incident but knows exactly what to do in known as CFC. On July 12 she was this kind of situation. “The response time one of three freshmen invited to play is crucial in saving someone’s life,” Deiso at an academy practice at a CFC arena. said. “It’s always great to have people
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who know and are trained to do CPR.” Lewis was given CPR as soon as possible, and after being shocked three times, was rushed to the hospital where she was put into a medically-induced coma to reduce the swelling to her brain. She woke up from her coma after 24 hours, which was earlier
than expected, but had trouble remembering what happened to her. Lewis had open heart surgery on Aug. 23, and though she cannot yet play on the team, she is “cleared to run and do ball work, just no contact or lifting,” Lewis said. Her friends, family and those who know her sold bracelets with #lacistrong and #cprsaveslives on them. The entire CFC team bought many bracelets, with many of those members being Staples students, and the team even took it upon themselves to sell the bracelets at school. They then donated to the Yale EMT’s and Cardiology unit, to help others who also have suffered from cardiac arrest. On Oct. 24, the girls’ Photo by Ellie Kravetz ’18 soccer team played against Saint Joseph High School RIVALRY The Wreckers girls’ soccer team faces off and, although Lewis against the St. Joe’s Cadets on Sept. 29, 2016. The wasn’t on the field, she Cadets defeated the Wreckers 2-1 at Loeffler Field. cheered from the sidelines.
Superfans stick by Wreckers through wins and losses Lily Kane ’20 & Emma Van Riper ’20
As players stand under the stadium lights and look out at the hundreds of people cheering, the Wreckers feel a rush of exhilaration unique to the Staples Superfans. At Staples High School, the Superfans are the fan base made up of students who aim to make every single student feel supported. Though it is not a club, the Superfans represent a community similar to that of one. As soon as someone becomes a Staples student, they are automatically a Superfan. Every year, a few seniors take on the roles of captains of the Superfans, whose job is to organize school announcements
and sporting events. “This year we’ve from her older sister. When she tried our hardest to get involved and arrived this year, she was blown away. connect with our teams, captains and “I knew the fan base would be players,” Rohan Goswami ’18, one of big, but newly being a part of Staples the Superfans captains, said. “Staples I’ve noticed how the whole school has one of the best fan sections in the comes together to be unified in FCIAC. Nobody even comes close.” supporting their teams,” Moskovit said. E v e n The Staples new Staples Superfans “This year we’ve tried our have their own st udent s , such as Lexie Facebook group hardest to get involved M o s k o v i t that includes and connect with our ’21, are the entire over whelmed student body, teams, captains and by the intensity customized players.” of the Staples s h i r t s , fan base. sweatshirts and C o m i n g an annual video - Rohan Goswami ’18 s h o w c a s i n g into Staples, Moskovit had the spirit of an idea of the lively Staples community the fan base. Being a Superfan requires
commitments, such as participating in spirit week, cheering on all of the sports teams and representing the school by wearing navy and white logo wear. “I really enjoy getting involved with the Superfans by supporting my peers and watching the games,” Zoe Julien ’20 said, “The Superfans really make the school feel like more of a community.” Most importantly, being a Superfan entails standing behind the Wreckers through both their wins and their losses. “For sure Staples is the greatest,” Goswami said. “No doubt about it.” WHITE OUT The Superfans cheer on
the football team on Sept. 8 during their opening home game. The Wreckers beat the Bridgeport Central Hilltoppers 52-0. Photo by Ellie Kravetz ’18
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
22 Sports Life lessons taken from rugby
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Clay Crouch ’18
y time at Staples has been exciting and helped shape who I am today. I have grown as a person and a student throughout my three years as a Wrecker. One activity in particular has been responsible for this growth: rugby. I started playing freshman year and instantly fell in love with the game and the culture surrounding it. Now, in my final year, I can reflect on the impact rugby has had on me. I realized how much I liked the sport after my first game. When the game had finished, instead of packing up and going home, our team headed to the other team’s side. We enjoyed a dinner with the people who not ten minutes ago we wanted to destroy. This obscure tradition takes place throughout the world of rugby. The home team prepares the meal and all sides enjoy the meal after the game. This opened me up to the respect and sportsmanship of the game. Sure, most sports conclude with a handshake, but that is nothing compared to this. This chivalrous act has showed me the respect you should have for people in all facets of life. If you can respect your competition, you can respect anyone. When you sit down with and understand your competition, you can learn from them. The coaches are also wonderful and really want you to become a lifelong fan of the game. The head coach, David Lyme, continues to shape me as a person through his invaluable lessons. Coach Lyme has us routinely perform breathing exercises where we imagine what we want to do in the game. He tells us that in order to do something, you have to envision it and believe you can achieve it. This advice and wisdom has helped me not just on the field but academically as well. It is important to take the lessons you learn and hold on to them. Rugby, the sport I love, has provided me with many.
October 27, 2017
Inklings
Coxswain Pasa leads Saugatuck Rowing Club Izzy Blansfield ’18 Seated at the front of the boat, constantly conversing with the rowers, the bull, the blades and the water, is Alin Pasa ’18. Pasa is one of the coxswains on the varsity Saugatuck Rowing Club (SRC, a multi-school team) and has been coxing for five years now. Her job is to steer the boat, ensuring that all the members are safe, focused, motivated and working together. Pasa does this by coaching the rowers through drills and practices while also critiquing the crews technique. “She’s our eyes and ears on the water, and we just do what she says,” teammate Sawyer Banbury, from Weston High School, said. Pasa started coxing when her coaches pushed her to try out for the SRC’s competitive team. This is when she realized that the position was the perfect fit.
“I loved that I had control over something bigger than myself. I also loved the competitiveness and the team aspect,” Pasa said. However, when Pasa first became the coxswain, she found the experience intimidating. “Being the only girl in the boat, I was constantly worried about not being taken seriously,” Pasa said, “Since I have grown and learned with these guys, I can barely see a difference between me and them.” Pasa also credits the rising popularity of female coxswains in boys’ boats, which has helped raise her confidence. As a part of Pasa’s experience being coxswain, she explains that it can be “very stressful, because you are always the easiest person to blame when something goes wrong in the boat,” she said, “[especially since] the coaches expect you to make no mistakes and always be at the top of your game.” To help prevent mistakes, Pasa and
her teammates attend 2.5 hour practices every weekday, 3 hour practices every Saturday and occasional practices before school during the spring season. So far this season Pasa’s team placed third at a regatta at the Housatonic River. And last year, when Pasa was the coxswain for the 1v4, they placed 10th at nationals. After tasting this success, the team is looking to achieve even more. “We are hoping to place top 10 at the Head [Of The Charles Regatta] which would be the best result that Saugatuck has ever had,” Michael Cantor ’18 said. In regards to Pasa’s role in the boat and her contribution to their success, Banbury acknowledges how her personal qualities come into play. “What makes her so good is her eye for detail, her understanding of people and her insane competitiveness,” Banbury said. “She wants to be the best, and she will be.”
“I loved that I had control over something bigger than myself.” - Alin Pasa’18
CHAMPIONSHIP Alin Pasa ’18, coxswains the Saugatuck Rowing Club varsity boat during junior nationals in 2016.
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Photocontributed contributedby byrow2k.com row2k.com Photo
DIII DI vs.
Inklings
Sports
October 27, 2017
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Photo contributed by Lianna Yun
Photo contributed by Robyn Russo
Athletes weigh collegiate decisions Julia Lombardo ’20 & Ava Simunovic ’20
life, whereas Division III schools are more flexible for athletes to branch away from the sports program and immerse themselves in the college experience. or many students at Staples, there is Division I schools have a tendency hope to continue their athletic career to be more involved in the sports aspect at the collegiate level. While some of an athlete’s career, opposed to their high school athletes choose to play a sport academic career. While this may lure some at the Division I level, others travel on students in, it also drives others away. the path to a Division III school. Playing “I realized I’m going to college for sports in college is academics highly competitive WIN STREAK The Wreckers defeated the Stamford not athletics,” and requires a big Knights 8-0 on Sept. 15. This was the fourth win Christine during the field hockey team’s eight game win streak time commitment, to start the season. Taylor ’18, which is why many T r i n i t y athletes choose to commit for play Division III. both field Although there hockey and is a discrepancy lacrosse, said. between the two, “I know my both require athletes sports career equipped with talent isn’t going to go and determination. past college so Ty pi c a l l y it didn’t make most Division I sense for me to schools prevent make such a big their athletes Photo by Ellie Kravetz ’18 c o m m i t m e nt from partaking to a sport.” in “regular” college student activities, Tia Zajec ’17, a Staples soccer alumni such as traveling abroad or joining Greek who now plays at Bucknell, explained her
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decision to go DI. “I wasn’t really set on either going DI or DIII,” she said. “I just based my decision off of which schools I liked the best. Obviously DI is more intense, but I was prepared for it. I also like the competitiveness of DI schools.” Many who attend Division III schools find that they are given the opportunity to excel not only as an athlete but also as a student. “Athletics are a significant part of my time at school, but I am able to commit myself to academics and focus on my school work as much as I need,” Ben Thaw ’16 said. “I’m extremely lucky that Wesleyan is a first class education as well as football program.” While DI schools may not stress the same level of importance on school work, it is still important for most DI schools to see their athletes doing well in their classes. Zajec explained the balance of school and soccer at Bucknell. “During my classes I am focused on academics, but during practice you have to just focus on the game and not about what homework or tests you have coming up because it can be a distraction.” While Division III schools are more invested in academics, they lack money for athletic scholarships. Division
I schools, however, have grant money easily accessible for athletes who may need a full ride to attend the school. “In Division III, you have people who play for the love of the game rather than the scholarship money,” Marce Petroccio, Staples head football coach, said. With the strong athletics programs offered at Staples, many athletes are looking to commit to either DI or DIII schools. Zajec advises athletes looking to go DI. “Make sure you are ready for the commitment of having practice everyday, and sometimes twice and traveling pretty much every weekend,” Zajec said. “You should take your time in choosing your school and make sure you get a good feel of it before you commit. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision right away.” Taylor offers advice to students who are more keen on going to DIII schools. “Make sure you can see yourself at the school without the athletics. If you break your leg and cannot play, you want to make sure you still want to be at the school,” Taylor said. “Division III is for anyone who wants to have that balance between social, academics and athletics. The great thing is that [Division III schools] accommodate all three.”
Graphic by Kathryn Howard ’ 19
Jack Caldwell ’18 & Ben Klau ’18 With a roaring crowd packed in Staples Stadium, the varsity football team storms onto the field before a rivalry game. The PA announcer’s voice booms over the excited crowd with a heightened sense of school spirit. “Here come the Wreckers!” But what is a Wrecker, and what does that have to do with Staples? According to Dan Woog ’71 of the 06880 blog, the Wrecker mascot dates back to a football game in 1930. “Staples played undefeated Norwalk in the last game of the season, beat them and wrecked their perfect season,” Woog said. “So it’s not about a tow truck, it’s about wrecking that perfect season.” Considering Westport’s strong ties to the Revolutionary War, it’s surprising that Staples does not have a mascot that acknowledges its past. One of Westport’s most recognizable landmarks is Compo
Beach’s Minuteman statue, which pays homage to a 1777 battle between local militia and British forces. But contrary to popular belief, the Minuteman name has never been used by Staples. “I don’t think there ever was a mascot [before the Wrecker],” Woog explained. Students are generally confused by the Wrecker mascot, and many have voiced support in favor of a Minuteman mascot. “Minutemen means more to our town,” Kate Rutter ’19 said. Jackson Dembski ’18, member of the varsity football team, agrees. “I would change it to Minutemen because it has so much more historical background.” It should also be noted that Staples does not currently have a physical mascot. Although the name was never used, Staples once had a physical minuteman mascot. “It’s hard to have a mascot that’s a Wrecker. For many years, we used a minuteman that looked like the statue by the beach,” Woog said. “In the 1980’s, somebody designed a
paper mache like the [Wrecker] we know complicated, but it would make Staples now with the helmet, and they’d dress the only school in the FCIAC to have up at football games. But somebody left separate names for boys’ and girls’ teams. it out in the rain “It’s also affiliated with war Photo contributed by shs.westportps.org and some parents might and that was the end of that.” think this is too violent H o w e v e r, of a name,” Rutter said. there is no The Wrecker name may such thing not make sense to some, and as a perfect it’s hard to have a physical mascot. The mascot with that name. But Minuteman Staples is also one of very name could few schools in the country be problematic with a Wrecker mascot. “It’s for girls’ part of our history, and I’ve sports teams. never come across another University of name like Wrecker. So why Massachusetts change?” Woog noted. Amherst, There may not be which has a many tow trucks in Minuteman Westport, but the Wrecker mascot, uses the has distinctly represented term “Minutewomen” for their women’s S t a p l e s f o r d e c a d e s t h r o u g h o u t sports teams. Not only is this over- d o z e n s of cha mpionships.
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24 Sports
Inklings
October 27, 2017
OPENER Ben Van Der Merwe ’18 leads the Wreckers on to the field prior to their opening home game on Sept. 8. Van Der Merwe converted on five PATs and one field goal in the victory. Photo by Ellie Kravetz ’18
BEN VAN DER MERWE Van Der Merwe tackles two different sports Jarod Ferguson ’18
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any seniors have a lot on their plate during this time of the year. Ben Van Der Merwe ’18 has an appetizer and a full course meal on his. Not every senior can be a captain of two sports teams, play two completely different positions and also deal with being a potential college athlete. But Van Der Merwe is not a typical senior. Growing up, Van Der Merwe played soccer but transitioned from the pitch to the gridiron in ninth grade. “I made the switch from soccer to football freshman year mostly because I always wanted to be a football kicker,” Van Der Merwe said. “Even though I grew up playing soccer for 11 years, most of my closest friends played football, which was more than enough reason for me to switch and I’m very glad that I made the transition.” Even though Van Der Merwe wanted to be a kicker, his background as a rugby player made him enticing enough for the Wreckers coaching staff to additionally put him in as linebacker. Van Der Merwe acknowledged how difficult it was to make this transition. “Playing linebacker
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is very different than kicking, and I have to play with two mindsets because of it,” Van Der Merwe said. “When I kick I need to be calm and not focusing on anything other than the ball, but as linebacker I need to be making my pre-snap reads and getting the defense aligned correctly.” All of these qualities are just some of the reasons why the Wreckers are 4-2 this season. For most athletes, a resume of being a potential All-FCIAC player in one sport is good enough, but Van Der Merwe goes beyond that. He is the captain and plays fly-half for the Staples Rugby team, who is looking for a return trip to the playoffs. As for being a captain of two sports, Van Der Merwe is grateful for the unique position he is in. “Being a captain for two different sports is an honor and something I take great pride in especially because it is reflective of all the hard work I have put into both games,” Van Der Merwe said. “I’m also very appreciative of the incredible opportunity because it has taught me so much about being a leader on and off the field.” Van Der Merwe’s teammates are also grateful to have h i m . “[Ben] is a great
Staples2016 season record Photo contributed by Ben Van Der Merwe ’18
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m, mer tea 2017 Sum b 7s ich clu Greenw record
STAPLES HIGH SCHOOL | inklingsnews.com
c apt a i n, not only leading the team in speeches and just being a natural leader, but he leads by example with his play and his ability to make plays c o n s t a n t l y,” M a x Lonergan ’18,
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*Career Stats
Total tackles
2 Sacks
46/47 field goals & Point after Touchdown
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fellow football captain, said. Michael Thompson ’19, football teammate, also spoke about the great leadership Van Der Merwe displays on and off the field. “He is a great leader. He get’s the guys up and never takes plays off,” Thompson stated. “He leads us in practice and makes us better on the field.” Staples Rugby coach David Lyme explained the decision of naming Van Der Merwe captain for the upcoming season. “Ben has shown great leadership and ability since I first met him as a freshman,” Lyme said, “His ability to stay calm and in control made it an easy
Longest Field goal (YARDS)
decision to choose him as captain.” College coaches are also recognizing the skills that Van Der Merwe can offer at their respective schools. “In college I will either be playing rugby or football, but I am not sure where yet,” Van Der Merwe said. “For rugby the colleges I am looking at are Penn State, UConn and Boston College. For football I am looking at either Wesleyan or walking on at Boston College as a kicker.” No matter the accolades, Van Der Merwe is always hungry for more success. While Van Der Merwe has been eating up the competition on the field in high school, he’s ready for his dessert: college.